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强劲 (qiáng jìng) — strong, powerful, robust

Definition

Typically describes dynamic forces — wind, growth, momentum, competition — rather than physical strength. Compare 强大 (overall power, like a nation) and 有力 (forceful, often actions or arguments).

adjective
strongpowerfulrobust

Examples

  • 强劲。
    Gōng sī tuī chū le qiáng jìng de xīn chǎn pǐn.
    The company launched a strong new product.
  • 强劲。
    Tā duì zhè jiàn shì biǎo shì le qiáng jìng de fǎn duì.
    He expressed strong opposition to this matter.
  • 强劲。
    Tái fēng dài lái le qiáng jìng de jiàng yǔ.
    The typhoon brought strong rainfall.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

强qiángstrong
劲jìnvigor

强 and 劲 both convey strength and vigor, giving the sense of something powerful or robust.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 強; 强 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 強 pairs an insect component with a sound component; this explains 強, not the simplified 强.

Open 强 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 勁; 劲 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrength
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng勁jìn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 勁 pairs 力, meaning strength, with 巠, which gives the sound; the simplified 劲 is a shorthand and its parts are not the original ones.

Open 劲 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Good & Bad

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